Chapter Nine
Danni’s POV
For the last few days, I have been staying with Jace at the pack house and I have been enjoying myself as I heal. Fortunately since I am an Elemental I heal a little bit faster than humans, but not as quickly as werewolves. Most of my cuts and bruises are gone and I can move around with ease. However Jace is always on my butt to take it easy.
Today is finally the big barbecue for the pack and I’ll get to meet everyone, which I am freaking out. What if they don’t like me or feel that I’m not good enough for Jace. I really don’t want them to hate me; it would so put a damper on things.
Sighing as a turned to the mirror to inspect my wardrobe, I put on a strapless dress that is white lace on the bodice with a blue and green flower pattern that shirt that flowed to above my knees and was separated by a brown belt. I paired the dress with brown gladiator sandals and simple diamond studded earrings. My hair is hanging loose in its natural waves, but I braided my bangs to the side and pinned it with a pretty barrette. I kept my make-up light and fresh with a bronze eye shadow that enhances both my eye colors and used a soft light pink on my lips. My mom always said that every girl needs a little make-up; you’re vain if don’t think so.
As I finish adding the finally touches to my outfit, I notice that Jace is behind me watching. Every time he is around me my heart stops. Turning around to face him, I see that he is holding a small box in his hand.
“I want to give you something that has been in my family for a long time,” Jace whispers as he hands me the box.
Taking it I gently lift the lid and I see a beautiful stone necklace pendant on a silver chain. The stone itself was beautiful, it was white, but it has blue, purple, and gold tones swirled around. Then it was wrapped in a shiny silver wire that intertwines with the chain. The entire pendant was no larger than a quarter.
Looking up at Jace, I smile and ask, “Will you help me put it on?”
Smiling back at me, Jace answers, “Of course beautiful, it’s a moonstone and it calms and relaxes the mind. It’s been in my family for over a hundred years, given to the mates of the Alphas.”
Hearing that makes my stomach turn, that makes me Luna. Crap, just more pressure on me, just great. Anyway as Jace hooks the necklace around my neck, I feel his fingers linger there making my shiver. I turn to look at him getting lost in his eyes. He is too good to be true.
“Thank you Jace it’s beautiful, but are you sure you want to give it to me?” I quietly ask.
Jace looks deep into my eyes as he says, “I want you to have this and if I can help it, I am never letting you go. Danni you are the best thing that has happen to me in my entire life. I love you so much and nothing will change how I feel about you.”
Once again Jace has left me speechless and the only way that I can respond is to kiss him. As we kiss, I weave my hands into his thick hair and I deepen the kiss that makes Jace purr. I love hearing him purr especially when we are in bed together and he’s asleep. We haven’t taken our relationship to far, because Jace doesn’t want to push me too much and I really appreciate that. I know that I love him, but I have no experience with guys and I don’t want to make a fool of myself.
We tear apart when someone knocks on the bedroom door, “Hey hurry up you two, people are getting here and I need help in the kitchen,” Alexis yells through the closed door.
We walk out and down the stairs hand in hand and I notice some people looking at us. Giving them a warm smile to hide how nervous I am, we make our way towards the kitchen. Along the way Jace introduces me to some people who seem nice enough, but from the corner of my eyes I notice a guy lurking in the corner. He was tall, but not as tall as Jace and he wasn’t as wide. He was nice looking, but doesn’t hold a candle to Jace. What puts me on edge was how he was watching me. He definitely gives off the creep factor, but I shake my head; I’ll ask Alexis, she knows everything.
Walking into the kitchen Alexis is running around stirring pots and checking the oven. Spinning around huffing before saying, “About God dang time, Danni help me in here and Jace go out to the grill and check on Erik, we both know that he is not lucky with fire.”
Giving Alexis a salute, Jace kisses my forehead and walks outside. That gives us loud awe from all the women in the kitchen which makes me blush. Jumping in to help Alexis I get better acquainted with everyone. Some are really nice while some are annoyed that I’m with Jace, but hey they’ll get over it.
Once everything is done and set on the buffet on the back deck, I grab two beers and walk out to find Jace. I see him at the grill with Erik and Mister Creep-o, but I muster up my courage and walk over. Jace and Erik greet me with a smile while Sir Creepy Guy gives me a cold stare. What is with this guy?
Handing Jace a beer I look at Tall, Dark, and Creepy and say, “Hey I’m Danni and you are?”
I see that he is taken back about how forward I am, but I don’t like how his is looking at me and I want to prove myself.
“I’m Luke and I joined the pack a few months ago. I’ve heard a lot of great things about you Danni,” he says which creeps me out a lot.
Turning away from me, he looks Jace and says, “It is nice talking to you Alpha, but I have to be going; see ya Erik and it was a pleasure to meet you Danni.” He nods towards me.
He gives off a bad vibe and I am a good judge of character; I’ll talk to Jace later. Once Luke is gone, we all fall into an easy conversation about the upcoming college football season. When Jace turns off the grill and loads the hot dogs and hamburgers onto a big platter. Walking over to the table he sets it down and turns to the crowd of people.
“Everything is ready, but before we eat I want everyone to meet Danni, my mate. Make her feel welcome and enjoy the food that was prepared by Alexis. Women and children first followed by the men. Everyone enjoy!” Booms Jace.
It’s amazing to watch how everyone is so capture by the way Jace presents himself. He is truly a leader and everyone looks up to him. Getting my food, I find a picnic table that had Alexis and the twins. Sitting down I help her arrange the boys food and then we are joined by Jace and Erik.
It was a fun day and I got to meet the pack which makes me feel better about being with Jace. Almost everyone made me feel welcome and treated me with respect. The only one who makes me nervous is Luke. There is something about him that I don’t trust.
It’s finally after nine when everyone leaves and we clean up. Jace and I say our good nights to Erik, Alexis, and the twins and head up stairs. Once we are in the bedroom, Jace looks at me and kisses me. I can’t take it anymore I want him. I want him to make love to me, make love to my soul.
Breaking away I look at Jace and say, “Please take me Jace, I need you, I want you. Please claim me.”
“Are you sure Danni, I don’t want to push you.” Jace whispers to me.
I know that the mating rituals of werewolves are serious, but I want to be with Jace. Being with him and his pack today makes me want to be a part of his life. For the first time in years I feel like I could actually have a family and I could be happy.
“Jace please, I want you now,” was all I could say.
With that Jace lifts me up into his arms and kisses me as he carries me to bed. He gently lays me down as he continues kissing me. Jace slowly starts kissing down my neck and I feel him softly tugging on my dress. Once it is off, all I am left in is my strapless white bra and matching underwear. Jace looks down at me with hunger in his eyes and pulls off his shirt. Pushing myself up, I start a tail of kisses leading from his chest to his lips. Once I reach his kissable lips, I start unzipping his jeans slowly earning me a groan from Jace and I smile into his lips.
Finally he is out of his jean and I am back on the bed. I can feel Jace harden against my stomach making me moan in pleasure. That was it, Jace tears off my bra and panties with a loud rip, but I don’t care I need him NOW. Jace then pushes his boxers off and hovers over me.
“This is your first time and I will be gentle. If it is too much for you, tell me to stop; I don’t want to hurt you Danni,” Jace huskily tells me.
He is holding his wolf back and all I could say, “Jace, please.”
With that Jace pushes into me, it hurts, but after a minute I adjust and I feel completed. The more he pushes the more I want. I can feel my body tremble as I get close to my release. Jace senses it and picks up his pace. At that moment we come together and I feel Jace biting into my skin right between my neck and right shoulder pushing me into a world of bliss.
“I love you Jace,” I say as we lay in each other arms.
Kissing my forehead Jace replies, “I love you too, Danni.”
Jace’s POV
Today has been the best day of my life. The Pack met Danni and pretty much everyone loves her; there are some who are a little worried, but I know that they will love her in time. Also she handled everything well today. Watching her interact with others is amazing to watch. When she talks to someone see listens and actually wants to get to know the person.
I watch Danni sleep as her head is lying on my chest. As she turns over, I see the moonstone pendant on her and my heart swells up. The necklace has been in my family for years and the last time anyone wore it was when my mom died. She would have loved Danni, so would my dad.
They both were great parents, but when mom died, dad died too. When he killed himself I had to take over while I got ready for college and had to take care of Alexis. It was hard, but everything worked out. At first I understood why he killed himself, but then it hit me that what he did was selfish. He left behind two kids who needed him, who loved him. I hate to say this, but my father was a weak minded person. I will always love him, but I do not love the decisions he made. The last year of his life, the pack went downhill. Trying to build it back up was a nightmare, but now it is one of the most powerful packs in the United States and now I have my mate by my side.
Danni let me claim her tonight and my wolf and I are ecstatic. I knew I was her first and I wanted to take it easy, but Danni pushes my buttons. I look at her shoulder and the bite mark is already gone. She is incredible; so strong, so beautiful, and so caring. I don’t think I can say that enough.